A second case of the highly-mutated BA.2.86 Covid variant has been identified in the United States. The case was found in an asymptomatic individual in Virginia who had returned from Japan and was tested on August 10.
The BA.2.86 variant is causing global concern due to its rapid transmission and its genetic differences from the variants targeted by current vaccines. This variant has also been detected in Michigan. While Covid rates are rising in the US, hospital admissions remain at relatively low levels.
Some experts believe that the confirmed cases of the BA.2.86 variant in the US indicate that there are likely many more cases that have not been identified. There are concerns that this variant could be more widespread across the US, especially since only a fraction of positive swabs are tested for variants.
Despite the rise in Covid cases and positive tests, doctors on the ground report that the symptoms of infected patients are milder than during previous waves of the pandemic. Hospitalizations have increased for five consecutive weeks, but they are significantly lower than the levels seen during the same period in the previous year. Covid deaths remain stable, hovering around record low levels.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are tracking the BA.2.86 mutant strain. This variant has over 30 mutations on its spike protein, making it genetically distinct from the dominant strains. The increase in cases has prompted some institutions, including an Atlanta college and a Hollywood studio, to mandate the use of face masks once again.
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